Senate panel votes to approve Obama's CIA nominee

AP

FILE - In this Sept. 7, 2011 file photo, John Brennan, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, speaks in Washington. Brennan has acknowledged publicly the covert practice of drone strikes against al-Qaida targets, the first time the Obama administration has described the widely known practice in detail. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

March 5, 2013 12:36:20 PM PST

Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) - March 5, 2013 --

John Brennan is one step closer to becoming director of the CIA.

The Senate Intelligence Committee voted Tuesday to approve President Barack Obama's pick to lead the spy agency, setting the nomination up for consideration by the full Senate.

The vote came after the White House agreed to provide the committee with access to the secret legal opinions written by the Justice Department that justify the use of lethal drone strikes against terror suspects, including American citizens.

Senate Republicans also are using Brennan's nomination to push for classified records about the attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Libya.

Brennan is currently serving as the top counterterrorism adviser in the White House.

Obama announced Brennan's nomination in January and the committee held a confirmation hearing in early February.